Caring for Your JOYN Products
Every JOYN bag is handmade in our Himalayan studio using traditional techniques. We design with longevity in mind, these are pieces meant to soften, shift, and develop character alongside your creative practice.
As makers ourselves, we know that caring for handmade objects is part of the relationship. This page walks you through simple routines that keep your bag working beautifully for years, while letting it age the way handmade things should.
Caring for your leather bag
Daily maintenance
Wipe with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and keep the leather breathing.
Spot cleaning
If needed, use a barely damp cloth on marks, then let air dry naturally. Never saturate leather with water.
Conditioning
Apply leather conditioner 2–3 times per year to keep the leather supple. Use a small amount, work it in gently with a soft cloth, then buff away any excess. This simple ritual prevents cracking and deepens the patina.
Storage
Stuff with tissue paper when storing long-term to maintain shape. Keep in a cool, dry place with some air circulation.
ABOUT OUR LEATHER
From remnant pieces, to yours forever
Our leather comes from remnant pieces. Our way of using what the earth has already given us. This means there will be minor variations in grain and color.
As you carry it, the leather will respond to your life. It will soften in places, darken or lighten with exposure to sun and rain, gather small scuffs that tell the story of use. This is leather designed to last, developing character and carrying traces of your travels over time.
Caring for your canvas bag
Daily maintenance
Wipe down with a soft, dry cloth after use to remove surface dust. That's it for regular care.
Spot cleaning
For marks or spills: use a clean damp cloth (barely damp, not wet), gently blot the area, then let air dry completely.
Storage
When not in use, stuff lightly with tissue paper to help maintain shape. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve the hand-printed colors.
HOW IT'S MADE
Hand-stamped, one block at a time
Each pattern is created by stamping carved wooden blocks onto canvas. The slight variations in ink saturation and alignment aren't imperfections, they're the fingerprint of the hand-printing process.
Hand block-printed canvas develops subtle character with use. You may notice slight fading in high-friction areas, soft creasing where the bag naturally folds, and a gentle softening of the fabric. This is by design, each bag ages uniquely based on how you use it.
Block Printing Kits
Cleaning blocks and tools
Wash immediately after use with soap and warm water before the ink dries. Dried ink is much harder to remove and can build up on your blocks, affecting future prints.
Ink drying times
Your printed designs are permanent after drying for 2-3 days at room temperature
Washing printed fabric
After the full drying period, your tote can be hand washed (preferred) or machine washed on cool, gentle cycle. The inks are designed to be permanent and colourfast once cured.
Storage
Store clean, dry blocks in a cool, dry place with some space to breathe.
General notes
Variations are intentional
Hand block printing means each pattern is stamped individually with carved wooden blocks. You'll see slight variations in ink saturation, small gaps between blocks, or areas where colors overlap differently. Hand-stitching creates small irregularities in stitch length and tension. These aren't flaws, they're proof of the handmade process.
When repair is needed
We believe in maintaining rather than replacing. If your bag needs repair, email us at joynteam@shopjoyn.com. We can often guide you through simple fixes, or arrange for more significant repairs when needed.
The goal
Our care recommendations aren't about keeping your bag pristine, they're about helping it age well. Think of maintenance as part of the creative practice: small, mindful actions that extend the life of tools you value.
